The trailer did indeed kick butt on the freeway. No problems except with our tarp that wanted to exit. Instead, we exited, retucked, and got the rest of the way to Cle Elum for gas and munchies. Now to the campground, another hour up the road. Too bad there's no cell reception there and Michelle was driving around looking for us already.
We found her circling when we got there, but no campsites. Or at least none that we liked. With the promise of blue skies and wicked hot temperatures (for a bunch of wetsiders) we passed on the not-on-the-river-and-no-shade sites and headed back downstream to some of the other sites. We thought about Cooper Lake, but wound up at Cle Elum River instead. In retrospect, this was probably our best decision. The site was big, shade was plentiful, the bathroom was remarkably well maintained, and the river wasn't that far away.
After setting up two monster tents we watched Clara and Lex (the same age as Clara) basically roll in the dirt to achieve maximum filthiness. In three hours we went through an entire package of Costco baby wipes before we gave up. Throughout all this Clara and Lex and even Jack (about six months) were very well behaved. Lilly, though, was a challenge. She would be completely content, then burst out screaming in pain, then be happy again. They all went down around 8pm or so and we three adults watched the fire until the Milky Way popped out of the sky.
Lilly woke up at 4am. Amy handled her until 5am when I took over. I bounced and bounced, but couldn't soothe so I got into the car where I hoped she'd be less likely to get us kicked out of the campground. At 6am, with Lilly still screaming, I was startled awake by Amy tapping on the window. I went back to sleep and didn't get up until Clara woke me at 9am. Lilly had fallen asleep again at about 7am and was still sleeping so I hustled Clara into clothes and we got out of the tent.
Saturday promised the arrival of Daryl, Michelle's husband, and the Benedek clan consisting of Joey, Cindy, Aura, Leo, and their two dogs. They were to stay only for the day, but Daryl was in for the duration.
I headed down to the river with Clara to scout a good spot for us to set up our river camp and wound up on a smaller channel with pools and rocks and a little bit of current. It even had some trees for shade. Perfecto.
When I got back to base camp Daryl had arrived so we had lunch and planned to head down to the river. Daryl and I took one load of gear down and returned for the kids. I was all loaded up with Lilly and Clara and even had Tokul on leash when the Benedeks arrived. Rather than unpack I headed out at the advance party hoping Daryl wouldn't get everyone hopelessly lost in the wilderness.
Shortly after I settled at the river and got Clara into it the stream of humanity that is our group started arriving. Even before I could see them I could hear them.
"Are we there yet?"
"Now I know what the pioneers felt like."
"I'm hot."
Yes, it was a grueling five minute walk across mostly flat ground. Still, everyone made it and the chaos began. Dogs knocked over kids. Kids knocked over kids. Most dangerous of all, though, was kids knocking over beer. I found that although I brought my camera to the river I had no time to use it. Between chasing Clara, chasing Tokul, and trying to soothe Lilly it stayed in its pouch. I did use the Lyman's fancy digital SLR, though, which only compounded my indecision about upgrading to a multi-lens SLR or just to a newer point-and-shoot.
We were at the river for what seemed like hours and probably was. When we hauled everyone and everything back to the base camp it was time for dinner. Living in a world not made of dirt has convinced us kids should be clean before eating, but this quickly went out the window along with bits of stew and whatever else the kids could grab.
After the Benedeks left Lilly kicked up again. Amy did her best to soothe her, but with little success. I strapped her into the car for a drive thinking maybe that would be the ticket. No luck. I drove for an hour during which she screamed the whole time. When I got back she ate and then fell asleep. Thank goodness.
The girls slept better in the monster of a tent we have (room for a queen-size self-inflating airbed, Clara's own sleeping bag on a thermarest, Lilly's pack-n-play, and even room for bags and a place to get dressed) so we were able to get a bit more rest.
Packing up wasn't terribly eventful. The kids chased each other around, arguing over the tricycle and the scooter while Daryl egged them on by claiming each was actually his. We left the campsite about 11am with both the Lyman vehicles packed full and our trailer hauling the rest.
We had planned to stop in Roslyn for pizza, but it was closed (on a summer Sunday? Are you kidding?) so hit Burger King in Cle Elum instead. We stopped at the same exit on the way home to fix the tarp again, but had no other issues. Since getting home our lives have been consumed by laundry (nine loads), dishes (three loads), and baths (more than I can count and probably another one for Tokul needed).
Seriously, how do single parents do this?
